05/17/17

Recent news regarding ransomware taking over computers!

How do I avoid getting my computer infected?

1. Make sure that all Windows updates are installed. Microsoft issues security updates to Windows whenever they discover a vulnerability. It is a good idea to have your computer configured to automatically download and install all Windows recommended updates.
2. Don’t click on any file attachments to emails unless you are 100% positive they are legitimate. Often malware is installed on your computer after clicking on an email that looks like it is from FedEx, UPS or Microsoft. They usually have a pdf file or invoice file attached.
3. Don’t call any support phone numbers that have informed you that your computer is infected. If you have questions, call me instead. Some of my customers have called the number on their screen and been infected with malware after giving remote access to their computer.
4. Be sure to have a good remote backup of your data files such as Carbonite for personal computers or iBackup for Servers. If your computer is infected, then your data can be restored from the remote backup.
5. Run scans of your computer with your anti-virus software as needed.
6. If your computer is running slow or you suspect that you may have an infection, give me a call to check it out! The sooner you call me, the easier it is to remove the malware.

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10/20/13

Breaking news regarding dangerous ransomware infection!

Some of the following information I copied from a couple of emails from Kim Komando at www.komando.com with some editing on my part.

It's called the CryptoLocker infection , and it's spreading like wildfire. 

The infection is disguised in an email that looks like it's from a legitimate business like FedEx or UPS. Because the email sounds and looks like the real thing, it's easyto become a victim.

If you get the infection, hackers will threaten to destroy all your files - unless you pay up fast.

The infection is delivered in a legitimate-looking email from a company like UPS or FedEx. The message will have an attachment that's a JPEG, PDF or other common file extension. However, it might contain a malicious link instead.

If you download and open the attachment, or click on the link, a CryptoLocker installs on your computer. A message pops up demanding $100 or more to keep the infection from destroying everything on your hard drive.

The infection gives you up to 100 hours to pay the ransom fee and get your files back. Regular credit cards are not accepted, either. Hackers will only accept Bitcoin or a prepaid card like Green Dot MoneyPak.

At first the criminals behind CryptoLocker said you had four days to pay or your files were locked forever. Now, however, they say that you can get them back even after four days. The catch is that you'll have to pay more than $2,000!

If you've never heard of Bitcoin, it's a digital Internet currency that lets you send and receive payments without revealing your identity. Because it's not controlled by any government or bank, Bitcoin has become a favorite tool of online scammers.

This is a particularly nasty infection and removing it doesn't guarantee files won't be lost. So make sure to back up your files regularly. Infections can also leave sensitive files damaged for good, so you want to make sure you have copies of your data in a secure location.

If you don't have a backup system, I recommend Carbonite (www.carbonite.com).

It gives you peace of mind by automatically backing up your files to a safe, secure remote location.

Of course, your best option is to avoid CryptoLocker in the first place. That means avoiding malicious email attachments and downloads. So far, it seems CryptoLocker arrives with fake UPS, DHL and FedEx emails as bait, so be on the lookout.

If you do accidentally download the CryptoLocker file, you want to make sure it doesn't run and cause damage. Most security software will only catch it after it's already running. At that point, it's too late.

You need a program that stops CryptoLocker before it runs. Fortunately, one programmer put together a simple program called CryptoPrevent that does just that. Click here to download CryptoPrevent and instructions on how to use it.

Of course, the person who makes CryptoLocker might change how it works. So, don't think you're totally safe.

The one sure way to keep your files safe is by having a backup. If you don't have your files backed up, I would do that right now. Even if you don't get CryptoLocker, there are other viruses and disasters waiting to take down your computer. Without a backup, your precious files will be long gone.

If your files are backed up, you can let your security software remove CryptoLocker, delete the encrypted files and restore the undamaged files.

If you would like help on installing and using the CryptoPrevent or Carbonite, give me a call..